Apparatuses for externally controlling articulation of a joint motion

Abstract

An apparatus and process for measuring the motion of internal joint structures during and for measuring the function of muscles involved with the motion of a joint of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus can be configured in three forms: a horizontal, vertical, or butterfly motion control device. Each configuration comprises a static member and a moving member, in which the moving member operates to move or be moved by the subject being studied. Also disclosed are processes for using each apparatus to measure of the relative motion of skeletal structures in a subject, in which the subject is positioned in the apparatus and commanded to move while diagnostic medical images are taken or captured. Additionally, processes for using each apparatus to specifically measure and collect data on the function of the subject's muscles are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus adapted and configured to externally control an articulation of a joint motion of a patient comprising:
 a) a first member means configurable to engage a body part of the patient that is distal to a joint;   b) a second member means configurable to engage a body part of the patient that is proximal to a joint or connected to a body part that is proximal to a joint;   c) an actuator capable of moving the first member means with respect to the second member means; and   d) a sensor unit means configured to sense the joint motion of the patient while the actuator is in operation.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is in communication with one or more medical diagnostic devices selected from the group consisting of X-ray scanner, X-ray tube with image intensifier tube, magnetic resonance scanner, infrared camera, computed tomography scanner, ultrasound scanner, electromyography sensor unit means, digital camera and camera. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more medical diagnostic devices are detachably connected. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more medical diagnostic devices are one or more electromyography sensor unit means with sensors attachable to the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more medical diagnostic devices further comprise at least one sensor for capturing data. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock for locking a position of the plane of the first member means relative to a base. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock for locking a position of a dynamic platform in at least one position relative to the second member means. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the first member means, wherein the actuator applies force on the first member means. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an emergency actuator stop button wherein the actuator can be stopped from applying force on the first member means by activation of the emergency actuator stop button. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is actuated by the patient. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock for locking a position of the second member means in at least one position relative to a base. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plane of a base is one of horizontal or vertical. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a fixable platform is actuated by a user. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first member means is actuated by a user. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further wherein the one or more medical diagnostic device is connected to the base or the second member means. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base is a support frame. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first member means is adapted and configured to move automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more radiopaque markers positioned within an imaging field of the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilization member adapted and configured to support the base.